People hear the term “high blood pressure,” but often don’t know what it is. They also may know it puts them at risk for heart disease and strokes, but they don’t know why. Understanding this condition may help you improve your health.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the force of blood flowing in the arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). It's measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). High blood pressure is defined in an adult as a blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic pressure or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic pressure. You may hear that referred to as 140 over 90, which is high.

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms. Most people are unaware they even have the disease. In fact, in 90 to 95 percent of high blood pressure cases, the cause is unknown.

That’s why discovering the condition is so important. Those particularly at risk are African-Americans. Others at risk are male, diabetic, the elderly and those who consume too much salt and/or alcohol.

Salt is the well-known culprit because it expands blood volume. When volume is increased, pressure is increased. Too much salt is bad for everybody, but it’s especially risky for African-Americans who are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure. African-Americans who consume too much salt may have high blood pressure diagnosed at an earlier age, and it also may be more severe.

Contrary to popular belief, having high blood pressure does not necessarily mean one has high cholesterol. These are two completely distinct conditions. Having high blood pressure does, however, mean that a person is more at risk for stroke and heart disease.

How does it affect your heart?
Having high blood pressure means an increased workload for your heart and arteries. Your heart must pump harder, and the blood moving through arteries is under greater pressure. If high blood pressure continues for a long time, the strain causes your heart and arteries not to work as well as they should. Other organs also may be affected, putting you at increased risk for stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney failure and heart attack. When high blood pressure is aggravated by obesity, smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes, the risk is increased several times.

What can you do to improve your health?
Know your blood pressure. You can get it checked at health fairs, at area pharmacies or at your doctor’s office. If it is high, follow your doctor’s orders:

• Eat a low salt, low fat diet.
• Exercise. It physically conditions your heart, improves blood flow, prevents platelets from clumping and inhibits blood clots.
• Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
• Take your prescribed medication, but check with your physician before taking any other medications, even over-the-counter drugs. Some cold and flu medication, especially those with decongestants, can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure.

To learn more about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment for high blood pressure, visit westernbaptist.com/heart. You can take a free, five-minute online heart risk survey and become eligible for reduced-cost cardiac screenings at Baptist Prime Care. You also may phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.

Do you have a cardiac question tugging at your heart? Send it to heartbeat@bhsi.com or mail it to HeartBeat, 2501 Kentucky Ave., Paducah, KY  42003. If we use it in a future HeartBeat column, you will win a Baptist Heart Center T-shirt.